Established in Berlin in September 2015 at the invitation of the Government of Germany, the International Organization for Migration’s Global Migration Data Analysis Centre (GMDAC) responds to the call for better international migration data and analysis.
Timely data on migration are often scarce, making it difficult for decision-makers to develop effective migration policies. Even when migration statistics do exist, policymakers may not make full use of them, because data are often scattered between different stakeholders and between different countries. Sharing data effectively is often just as important as collecting data. Poor presentation of migration data can contribute to misperceptions about migration, and can distort public opinion. Better analysis and communication of the data are needed to promote a balanced debate on migration issues
Located in Berlin, GMDAC has established partnerships with a multiplicity of agencies and organizations including the European Commission’s KCMD, UN DESA, World Bank, UNICEF, McKinsey & Company, Economist Intelligence Unit, and OECD, among others. Since 2022, GMDAC is part of the IOM Global Data Institute together with the Displacement Tracking Matrix.
Objectives:
- Strengthen the role of data in global migration governance (e.g. Global Compact for Migration, Sustainable Development Goals).
- Support IOM Member States’ capacities to collect, analyse and use migration data.
- Promote evidence-based policies by compiling, sharing and analysing IOM and other sources of data.